Switching copper IUD for Mirena – experiences?

I’m not getting on with my copper IUD and looking to switch it out for a Mirena instead. I was on a mini pill (I don’t get on with a combined pill either) for 10+ years and came off it due to side effects like a non-existent sex drive. This is why I chose the non-hormonal copper IUD, not knowing much at all about the Mirena and not getting any decent advice from my doctor.

I came off the pill last April and had nice regular light periods. I had the IUD fitted in August and since the end of September had irregular cycles, long, ridiculously heavy periods with awful cramps and two weeks of symptoms a cycle. We have no desire for children but don’t want a ‘permant’ solution at this point in case we change our minds.

This past June I switched from pills to a Skyla IUD. It’s basically the little sister of the Mirena because it’s smaller and has less hormones. I’m petite and have not had any children so my doctor suggested it over the Mirena. My periods were awful awful awful before BC, super heavy and lasted around 8 days.

Since getting the IUD I bleed more and have cramps than on the pill but it’s still better than before BC. My sex drive increased exponentially haha I hadn’t noticed that it decreased since it was such a gradual change. The first two months were not great with constant dull cramping and spotting but now I just get cramps when I am on my period and it’s always light. Currently, the Skyla is only approved for three years before removal versus five for the mirena.

BeeDD : I haven’t had an IUD but I have had the Mirena (for 6 months), and am currently on the mini-pill so this might help.

My overall experience with the Mirena was very positive: I had some spots on my shoulders/upper back in the first month, some very mild mood swings in the first month, and that was it. No loss of libido, no vaginal dryness, etc. I had one week of light bleeding 4 weeks in, and nothing at all for the rest of the time. Whereas on the mini-pill I’ve had a significant loss of libido, vaginal dryness, night sweats, hot flushes, etc.

Unfortunately my body wanted to expel the Mirena and I had really bad cramps pretty much continuously from 6 weeks in. At the 6 month mark I was told that if I hadn’t adjusted by then, I wouldn’t, and was advised to have it removed.

If you haven’t had constant cramps with the copper IUD then it is unlikely you will with the IUS, so I say give it a go. The dose of hormone is smaller than that in the pill, and it’s delivered locally rather than into the blood stream, so hormonal side effects tend to be less severe.

I thought I’d come back to update, as I’ve had the Mirena since July and things seem to have settled down.

Removal and insertion hurt a lot; I cried. It was worse than having the copper IUD put in intially, but I recall I was having a bad day work wise so I was already stressed and emotional which probably wasn’t helpful. I don’t plan to have another coil after this one but I’m not sure I’d risk removal and insertion on the same day again if I do. That said, if I’d just had the copper one removed I might’ve chickened out of going back for the Mirena so…

The bleeding definitely lessened quite quickly, but the pain went way up and my periods seemed to last 7-10 days in early Autum. In November I realised I was getting ovulation cramping, but they weren’t too painful and the bleeding had dropped right off to mini tampons for 4 or so days. In December, I had merely a few spots across a couple of days – only when I went to the loo – and that was it. So I’m hopeful that it is going to stop my periods.

Most importantly for me, my sex drive has remained intact, and I’m no longer worried about bleeding through jeans, so I guess it was successful.